Safety Structure for Downhole Tool Testing Fixture

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Solution Overview

Problem

During uphole testing of downhole tools, the high forces applied to test fixtures using shear pins result in the expulsion of the test fixture and shear pins at high velocity, posing safety hazards to personnel.

Innovation Solution

A safety structure is positioned around the downhole tool to partially surround and catch the test fixture and expelled shear pins, ensuring they are retained and preventing injury.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If shear pins are used to attach the test fixture to the rod during uphole testing, then the downhole tool can be properly tested for force calibration, but the test fixture and shear pins are expelled at high velocity creating safety hazards

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting accuracyVSAvoidsafety hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A safety cage is introduced as an intermediary structure between the test fixture and the surrounding environment. The cage captures the test fixture and shear pins after they are expelled from the downhole tool, preventing them from becoming hazardous projectiles while maintaining the integrity of the testing process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The high-velocity expulsion force that creates a safety hazard is redirected into the safety cage structure. The cage is designed to contain and control the kinetic energy of the expelled components, converting the harmful projectile motion into a contained mechanical event that can be safely managed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If high axial force is applied to the test fixture during testing, then the downhole tool calibration can be verified, but the test fixture is forcibly expelled at high velocity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalibration verificationVSAvoidexpulsion velocity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The safety cage is positioned and configured beforehand to intercept and contain the test fixture before it can travel at high velocity into the surrounding environment. The cage structure provides a pre-prepared containment zone that manages the high-speed expulsion event

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Data Source

PatentUS8579026B2Safety structure for downhole power unit testing

Publication Date: 2013.11.12 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

A safety apparatus for catching a test fixture released from a shaft of a downhole tool during the uphole calibration and testing of the shaft force generation capability of the tool. The safety apparatus includes a hollow body having a distal end that will partially envelope the test fixture to catch the test fixture once the test fixture is released from the downhole tool. The safety apparatus further includes a proximal end portion that is releasably securable to the body of the tool. A method for testing and calibrating the tool is also provided.